Jackson Hines is an in-your-face defender who plays with a constant edge & makes his presence felt every shift. Jackson is comfortable laying the lumber, bringing a disruptive mindset both on the ball & as a help defender. He shows foot speed & fluid hips, allowing him to get under picks, fight through contact, & stay matched without overextending. Hines plays with discipline up top or down low within the team concept, showing a strong understanding of angles & top-side positioning. His stick work stands out on the wings & off the ground, where he consistently makes the smart pass to initiate the clear or maintain possession. Jackson flies out of the substitution box defensively to apply pressure at the midline, safeguarding the field with active hands & timely checks. He handles his pole confidently, at times looking comfortable carrying it like a short stick. After earning meaningful minutes as a sophomore for an elite Cavaliers team, Hines projects as a reliable presence who can take opponents off their feet on the defensive end. Verbally committed to the United States Naval Academy.

Hines has the athleticism to run as a longstick midfielder, but also the strength, smarts, and physicality to anchor a defense down low. The Navy commit makes his presence felt every possession, keeping his stick glued to opposing attackmen’s gloves and forcing them out of rhythm. His high-level lacrosse IQ shows up in his slide timing, where he consistently puts the ball on the turf and turns defense into transition. On groundballs, Hines is crafty and relentless, often using his stick hockey-style to free it before scooping it himself. Add in his composure and stick skills in the clearing game, and you’ve got one of the state’s most versatile and impactful 2027 defenders.